THE JAPANESE LARCH. 26 I 



has probably also given rise to the idea that the European 

 species overtakes it in later life, but until the Japanese species 

 has been grown under proper silvicultural conditions for a 

 lengthened period in this country, it would not be advisable to 

 assume that this idea is correct. 



That the Japanese species exhibits a number of characteristics, 

 absent in the case of the European species, is now being realised 

 where comparatively large numbers have been planted. While 

 it is a light-demander like its relative, it is not so intolerant of 

 shade, especially as regards the side branches. This quality 

 will allow of its being planted much closer on the ground, in fact 

 it clearly indicates that such treatment would be advantageous 

 in order to curtail the gross growth of branches that results from 

 open planting of this species, or planting in admixture with thin- 

 foliaged species. The expense has told against pure planting 

 on a large scale, but where it has been done the prospects are 

 good in many respects. It is too early yet to consider if under- 

 planting will even be necessary, but it is almost certain that a 

 considerably larger number of stems per acre will stand to the end 

 of the rotation than is possible in the case of its relative. No 

 mixture seems to fit in with it in its early years, and the enormous 

 amount of foliage it produces seems to fit it for growing as a 

 pure crop, the fall of needles certainly acting not only as a soil 

 preserver but as a soil improver, the layer of rich humus acting 

 as a water absorber and as a medium through which myriad 

 rootlets run. It possesses the undoubted quality of being a 

 drought resister, one that fits it for planting in many soils and 

 situations given up to probably less suitable species or carrying 

 no crop of trees. It seems to thrive on light, warm soils equally 

 as well as on moist, cool soils, and does not object to moorish 

 ground. 



It is perfectly hardy, in the sense of being able to withstand 

 any degree of frost usual to our winters, but, as might be taken 

 for granted, it is not suited any more, probably, than its relative, 

 for planting in "frost holes." Late frosts affect it to a certain 

 extent, but only on spots with an impervious subsoil, positions 

 that but few species can exist in, let alone thrive. It is com- 

 paratively late in developing its shoots, when its haste in flushing 

 its spur-leaves is taken into account. This is a most marked 

 feature, for while the foliage appears so early that it invariably 

 gets " browned," more or less, by late frosts, and does not 



